Parliament probes illegal subdivision of Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Institute land
KEVEVAPI Managing Director Alex Sabuni and his senior officials were questioned over audit discrepancies and a prolonged land dispute that has seen the institute lose most of its original land allocation.
The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration, and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) has launched an intensive investigation into alleged illegal transfers and subdivision of land owned by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI).
During Wednesday’s session, chaired by Vice-Chairperson Caleb Amisi, KEVEVAPI Managing Director Alex Sabuni and his senior officials were questioned over audit discrepancies and a prolonged land dispute that has seen the institute lose most of its original land allocation.
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“This matter is deeper than what we are discussing here,” Amisi said. “It is explosive, and we must know who authorised the subdivision and who signed off on the demarcation of the mother title.”
The committee learned that KEVEVAPI was first given 93.3 hectares of land. In 1994, a former managing director reportedly requested approval to divide the property into nine parcels without consent from either the parent ministry or the National Treasury.
These plots were later sold to private developers, and despite efforts, had not been recovered by mid-2017.
A similar trend of irregularities emerged regarding KEVEVAPI’s Embakasi site, originally 93.02 hectares. Its size has progressively reduced from 77.7 hectares to 45.2 hectares and now stands at 29.05 hectares. Legislators described the loss as a “well-planned game” executed over many years.
“This is a straightforward case of abuse of office,” Hon. Owino said. “The board cannot escape accountability for what transpired.”
Sabuni maintained that KEVEVAPI never approved any subdivision or disposal of its land. “At no point did the board cede authority to the managing director to subdivide or dispose of KEVEVAPI land. That has always been our position,” he said.
He added that the institute has lodged multiple complaints with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and initiated legal action guided by the Ndung’u Commission Report, which identified those who benefited from the irregular allocations.
The management explained that the original title deed was handed to Kenya Commercial Bank as collateral for a Sh30 million loan, but was never used to repay the debt. KEVEVAPI is currently engaged in four court cases over the remaining 29.05 hectares at Embakasi.
“We have already won three of the cases,” Dr Sabuni said. “The latest ruling is now on appeal.”
Legislators instructed KEVEVAPI to present a complete historical record of all approvals, subdivisions, correspondence, and recovery attempts.
“This inquiry will go wherever it must,” Hon. Amisi warned. “We will deal with those who grabbed public land - however powerful they are.”
Officials also addressed historical audit issues, including Sh104 million owed by the Ministry of Agriculture and challenges in recovering debts from Uganda and Rwanda.
KEVEVAPI has withheld land rates based on its original size until legal disputes are resolved.
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